Law firms, Vac Schemes, and 2:2's in first year

Baker & McKenzie and Freshfields both sent me rejection emails mentioning that they require applicants to be on course for a 2.1, and to demonstrate that they require applicants to have a 2.1 in all first year modules.

As proof, I include the Bakers rejection:

Dear xxx
Thank you for your recent online application to Baker & McKenzie.

Unfortunately your application for a vacation scheme has been unsuccessful as it does not meet our academic requirements.

To be considered for a vacation scheme you must have the following:

AAB in your top three A-levels (excluding General Studies)and demonstrate that you are on course for a high 2:1 in your degree. We would therefore be looking for 60% or above in all modules taken.

Thank you for your interest in Baker & McKenzie.

Yours sincerely

xxx

Graduate Recruitment & Development Manager

May I ask which law firm?

As an aside, I also know Norton Rose aren't so fussy about getting a 2.2 in your overall degree either for their training contracts. Although you do need to be aiming at a 2.1 to apply for a TC, their actual offer letter does not state that the candidate must achieve a 2.1.

Hey just go for it-I got some 3rds and 2.2's in first AND second year, only coming out with an average of 56. Despite this I was given an interview at one of the biggest law international law firms a few months ago. Needless to say I did not get the vac scheme but that was to do with my performance on the day and not my academic results....

That's not true - I got a first overall, but because of a 2.2 in first year was automatically filtered from NR.

Yes, I referred to them wanting you to be aiming to get a 2.1. But their offer letter does not stipulate you need to achieve a 2.1. Once you receive an offer, you can get a 2.2 and still retain your contract. In this recruitment cycle the wording of the offer contract could of course have changed though.

However, in such a competitive situation they will of course expect their applicants to be on course for a 2.1 as standard, and it's quite possible that in their eyes achieving a 2.2 in your first year might not demonstrate that this will happen. I'd say it was definitely quite important to achieve a consistently decent standard in every year of your degree, although it's not impossible to gain a training contract without it.

Either way, I think you are very lucky to receive feedback on your paper application, as it was their firm policy not to give feedback on paper applications as far as I remember.

I understand your distinction. I didn't get actual feedback - but I was rejected within a day of submitting - so the only way that could have happened would have been with an auto-filter. I got a 2.2 in my first year, and it has definitely held me back - despite the fact I got a First overall, including a lot of essays and exams in the high 70s and some 80s too.

I understand your distinction. I didn't get actual feedback - but I was rejected within a day of submitting - so the only way that could have happened would have been with an auto-filter. I got a 2.2 in my first year, and it has definitely held me back - despite the fact I got a First overall, including a lot of essays and exams in the high 70s and some 80s too.

What university did you go to?

How did you get an 80 and high 70's whenever you only got a 2.2 in first year. We were told that it is nigh on impossible to ever get any higher than 75. There has only been one mark of 80 in the past 10 years.

Because I didn't work as hard in my first year, and I had some personal problems - I also let drinking, socialising and ECs take too much of my time up. I am aware that high marks are rare - I won a prize.

Baker & McKenzie and Freshfields both sent me rejection emails mentioning that they require applicants to be on course for a 2.1, and to demonstrate that they require applicants to have a 2.1 in all first year modules.

As proof, I include the Bakers rejection:

Dear xxx
Thank you for your recent online application to Baker & McKenzie.

Unfortunately your application for a vacation scheme has been unsuccessful as it does not meet our academic requirements.

To be considered for a vacation scheme you must have the following:

AAB in your top three A-levels (excluding General Studies)and demonstrate that you are on course for a high 2:1 in your degree. We would therefore be looking for 60% or above in all modules taken.

Thank you for your interest in Baker & McKenzie.

Yours sincerely

xxx

Graduate Recruitment & Development Manager

Hey just go for it-I got some 3rds and 2.2's in first AND second year, only coming out with an average of 56. Despite this I was given an interview at one of the biggest law international law firms a few months ago. Needless to say I did not get the vac scheme but that was to do with my performance on the day and not my academic results....

I'm at a Top 14 Law School in UK. First year average =50.5% (mostly thirds) Second year average 57.5%. Please can you advise me how to make strong applications and. What are the chances of me getting far in law? I have high st exp and work exp with an MP etc.

What the heck is a'top 14 law school?

Hi Guys,
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I could really do with some advice. I am currently a final year law student and desperately need help to get a 2:1. This year I have averaged at 55% for 1/6 of final year weighting (75% overall degree) For another module I have gained 68%. Please can you tell me what I am doing wrong to get 55% in essays. If I could maybe send you my essays and you could tell me what is wrong with my style of writing and arguments? Alternatively, I would really appreciate it if you guys have any good old formative assignments that you got high 2:1s/1:1s in that you wouldn't mind sharing? I am really stuck and honestly don't know where I am going wrong. My last year average was 58% but I need to get a 1st in my next essay and in some exams to do well PLEASE HELP ME :'(